The Lowther in York

Excellent place by the river too eat staff friendly professional old school customer service really brilliant meal best in York

Manager sat with customers will getting paid vaping inside when it’s banned in pubs I felt sorry for other staff while she is sat there having fun Need a new manager

Clean, wonderful staff, very good food We absolutely loved the place

If you're a student in York this is an essential place to visit. Drinks are good and very reasonably priced, and the vibe is always great

Nice place to eat and not bad priced

Excellent pub on the river staff excellent did not have food but what we saw looked good

Staff were very friendly also mentioned that it was happy hour and I would have money off my drink, great selection of drinks, will definitely be back.

Great accommodation, we had the best 3 night stay , staff lovely , food nice , drinks a bargain !! No ear plugs needed and I’m 53 my husband is 64 …. We walked so much and got back to the bar and dranks lots and fell asleep as soon as our head hit the pillow , the chap who cleans the rooms , keeps the rooms immaculate. You can’t get breakfast here but you can at their sister place next door and you get a discount when you show your keys , the breakfast is delicious , plenty of choice and again great staff .

Very nice place, good service. Went for some tea and coffee.

Very expensive almost £10 for a pint and a half of strongbow cider will not be going again 😑

Genuinely stinks of sewage in the evening. After 8+ years you think they'd fix it, but nope.

I was in this place Saturday and a Man was asked to sit down outside which I can't understand- the man was very upset and from what I heard he has a poo bag due to cancer so prefers to stand for personal reasons I guess He was then asked to leave due to refusing to sit down- I left straight away and won't be going back

Was in York at weekend, had a drink in the lowther outside on riverside, all going fine, but was disgusted when staff ordered a man to sit down, he tried to politely explain that he was recovering from cancer and that had an stoma bag fitted and that he was uncomfortable sitting down,he was then confronted by door personnel asking him to leave all lowther persons were absolutely rude and un sympathetic , I felt so uncomfortable for this man ,myself and my wife and children left and will not return again with the attitude of staff, bad manners, no hospitaly offered , felt so sorry for this man and his wife,

Sat outside by the river and food was delicious....service very prompt... lovely

I have used this pub for years !! But never again. Had a cracking day in York yesterday and we stopped at the lowther and went outside. I stood and was told they were not licenced or insured for standing so I had to sit. I explained that I have a stoma bag and sitting down with a tucked in shirt can cause it to unstick Fromm my stoma etc due to bowel cancer last year. They took no notice and insisted that I sat very rudely. I refused for the above reason so was asked to leave. I was beyond bemused as I have been many times and there are people stood everywhere especially if very nice weather. I was disgusted as were many of the patrons sat near by. Shame on you, staff of the lowther.

AVOID. AVOID. AVOID. I can't stress strongly enough that this place should be avoided at all costs. I personally believe the police should station themselves here to save their journey and York university should issue a warning to their students. There are so many nice places in York please go to any of these instead, you will be safer and have a much more pleasant experience.

AVOID. I have never left such a review before, preferring to focus on highlighting the good places. The best I can say about this place is forewarned is forearmed....

Great to sit by the river. Share the same last name as the pub as well which is interesting.

Went to York for the weekend. I did not my own fault read the reviews on booking.com. The staff were very helpful especially the young girl who's hair was half red and half black. She really is a grafter. She showed us to our room. Then explained about the ear plugs for the noise at night.. The lowther is a music venue the music is so loud that ear plugs are a waste of time. The windows in my room were vibrating. The 1st night I think it was until 4 am. The 2nd night until 2 am. The 3rd night it was OK. So don't book this hotel if you want quite to sleep.

I am disabled so dont get out very much. I was delighted to be having a glass of sauvy b in the sunshine by the river until i decided on a ciggie. I was told i couldnt smoke. To get my walker over the cobbles was a feat in the first place so i rebelliously finished it. Everyone around me was vaping i cant stand that and theres not a word about it ! Shaun dont make this a law before it is law. !

Best hotel we have stayed in, in York. Room really clean and has everything you need, the view is incredible of the river. Food downstairs was lovely and the staff are great. Big shout out to Elise, the manager. She was attentive and her customer service was impecable, really went above and beyond for us. We will be back!

The service is so poor, and when they give you the menu they don't tell you about the waiting times and refuse to give refunds cuz they said on the small print of waiting times but never pointed it out, and when the food did come out it's was cold and saying it's all fresh and hot but the onion rings have been standing at least over 30mins cuz there where some cold and the chips. If your in york avoid this place for food or anything and go to Greggs to get hot food

Sat down for a drink and a meal. Even though we asked to order food and drink at the same time, we could only order drinks and was told their colleague would be over to take the food order, as the food came from the sister bar next door. We had to chase for the waiter to come and take the food order, at which time we were told when the order is taken there would be a minimum of 40 minute wait. Had we been told this before we ordered drinks we would not have taken the table. Disappointed and on to somewhere else.

Glad I looked at Google reviews after my visit. Had a great feeling right after walking through the door by very welcoming young lady. Met the general manager Ellis may be her name bur I am but with names. She seems to have done an amazing job since renovation. Place is stylish and tidy, after little wander around you’ll find out that it’s actually an enormous place. Great seating outside. Haven’t had food so cannot comment on that. Hotel room is cosy and very tidy, maintaining high standards. Area is extremely convenient to visitors of York with 5-10 mins walking distance to everything you’d like to see in York! Price for room definitely doesn’t reflect in the area and you will definitely make you money worth, I found my stay pretty cheap for the location. 100% recommended, would definitely return if visiting again.

The view is nice if you choose to sit outside by the river. Additionally the drinks were made well. My only complaint is the service was horrendous.

Great spot for coffee ☕️ and contemplation Can’t review food not eaten here and the coffee is great (I’m particular as I drink mine black)

Girl with the glasses and log. Hair has to possibly be the rudest hospitality staff ive ever experienced. She just doesnt want to be here and the place wasnt even busy

When I came to lowther The owner put his hands on me and my friend also, when we just walked in. He put hands on me and assaulted my friend for no reason. I told the bouncers who helped and said this is normal Will never go there again. The owner gave me an anxiety attack and because he was drunk (the owner) who thinks this is ok some how, Massively disrespectful was not happy. Thank god for the bouncers for calming me down.

A group of 12 ladies tried to enjoy a drink by the river. The pub its self is well renovated. The toilets however need to be cleaned regularly with a lack of toilet roll. The serving staff outside (Kian) was rude, pre-judged and made everything as difficult as possible. We went into the bar and ordered shots which were brought out to the table. However when trying to order from the river side we were told we were unable to take drinks from the bar! A disappointing visit.

charged us £9 for a drink that should've been £4.50👎🏻👎🏻

Nice location, but expensive for the quality!

Group of 18 of us, wanted drinks outside in the sun. Told were now allowed the cocktail offer if we're sitting outside. Then told we weren't able to order separately. Then when wanting to order another round basically told "we're still cleaning stuff from your other cocktails, you'll be waiting around 20 minutes". Pub empty inside, pretty empty outside, I thought pubs wanted business? Gorgeous spot but wouldn't recommend.

You need a degree to understand their pricing system. You pay far more to sit outside but don't explain this to you.

The manager elise shocking lack of customer service moody service behind the bar, to say she is a manager she should be setting an example she made us want to drink our drinks and leave

Great staff with great vibe and great drinks

Bouncers here are animals, plenty of police incidents to their names. If you're young and/or drinking you can expect them to find any excuse to go after you with a little assault and battery. When you ring police they'll hide inside. Last happened to friends of mine a few years back, I see from recent reviews nothing has changed. Seems staff are used to it and complicit. Don't support this likely criminal establishment, plenty of better places in York.

Used to be a half decent bar. Staff as miserable sin. Clearly did not want to be there. Go somewhere else

By far the best Espresso Martini around. Great music and fab atmosphere.

I ordered a baileys which should come as a double as standard. Totally ripped off costing me £9. Emailed twice and both times ignored. Not acceptable. Won't bother again sadly as we usually enjoy this pub.

Petard and ali were class love em

Food wasn't being served at the time of our visit so I cannot comment on that, it was quiet too. Did enjoy the much needed drink after the long drive and the staff were very helpful...

Door staff were amazing, helped my friend with a head injury. Stayed with her until the ambulance came xx

Staff usually very nice, not the most welcoming customers and environment is a bit run down with overpriced drinks unfortunately, but nice location

Came for drinks on Tuesday night with my friend. My friend had an issue with her drink and the manger behind the bar was so beyond rude to us. Will not be coming back. She told me to get lost simply because she couldn’t be bothered to deal with it. I think her name was Elise or something like that. 0/10 stars.

This pub should be ASHAMED for hiring such horrible bouncers that make young women cry. How dare you scream at someone for stepping out of the queue, make them cry because of it and then laugh about it to the other bouncers? Absolutely disgusting. Even worse the fact that pub has hired them. Do not come here on a night out or ever. This was on the Saturday 21st October.

The bouncers in this place get an absolute kick of screaming and patronising young, vulnerable, sober women for accidentally not standing where they should in the queue which is absolutely disgusting. It’s happened to far too many people I know and clearly from these reviews it continuously happens. Bouncers have disgusting, threatening behaviour to the point where they scream in your face and clearly the management don’t care enough about their business to make changes. The pub itself is dirty and it’s £7 for a single gin and lemonade. Seriously don’t know how this pub claims to be the best in York. If it wasn’t on the waterfront they’d be long gone.

Horrible bouncers employed on Saturday 21st October. Getting high off abusing and upsetting young women and overall disgusting behaviour. Judging by other comments owners and managers should know better and need to get rid of the current people on their doors. Puts our group off from returning

Coffee and cake outside by waterfront very nice.

Just been here with my two friends. We were all stood in line and my friend quickly stepped out. The Bouncer SCREAMED in her face to say get back in single file. He made my friend stand there in tears and said to her ‘try not to cry’. He is a horrible man and this pub should be ashamed for hiring a bouncer like him.

Tunes were great and drinks are class

Lovely atmosphere with plug sockets which is great for before a night out! The booths are really good for big groups and not too expensive either!

Renowned to be the roughest pub in York and for good reason, locally nicknamed Lowther UFC. However, if you go during the day for a quick pint and food you'll be alright. But if you go at night, (any time past 6) expect an absolutely disgraceful atmosphere and unsafe environment where the bouncers actively encourage and look to cause violence and staff indoors couldn't care less. Unless you're Charles Bronson avoid this place on the evenings like the plague. This review is also backed up by the fact 90% of the good reviews made on The Lowther is people going during the day, for food. But anything mentioning drinks and a "night out" is awful.

Warning! Be Careful of the Bald headed bouncer and a short fat bouncer and one with big ears. Bouncers assaulted me (punched me in the face, whilst the other 2 held me back), damaging my teeth. Staff laughed at me when I complained about it, they dont care about customers. When the police arrived the bouncer who punched me hid inside ( possibly meaning staff inside have helped) and the other bouncers denied him existing. I have contacted the police and will be pressing charges as I have multiple witnesses and am hoping the cameras pick it up. (Shocking they dont have body cameras or a camera at the door...). This was my first and last attempt at enetering this disgusting place. They turned me away (26) and I am seeing people who are clearly underage walking out drunk at midnight. I suppose they have to make money somehow as no self respecting adult would attempt to enter a bar surrounded by children and scum. Get rid of this disgusting dingy old crackhouse and put something nice by the river. Owners should be ashamed.

Warning! Be Careful of the Bald headed bouncer and a short fat bouncer and one with big ears. Bouncers assaulted me (punched me in the face, whilst the other 2 held me back), damaging my teeth. Staff laughed at me when I complained about it, they dont care about customers. When the police arrived the bouncer who punched me hid inside ( possibly meaning staff inside have helped) and the other bouncers denied him existing. I have contacted the police and will be pressing charges as I have multiple witnesses and am hoping the cameras pick it up. (Shocking they dont have body cameras or a camera at the door...). This was my first and last attempt at enetering this disgusting place. They turned me away (26) and I am seeing people who are clearly underage walking out drunk at midnight. I suppose they have to make money somehow as no self respecting adult would attempt to enter a bar surrounded by children and scum. Get rid of this disgusting dingy old crackhouse and put something nice by the river. Owners should be ashamed.

Nice enough pub on the river with a decent jukebox.

Service slow and not many people about. Took 15 mins to get 1 beer. I was outside. They lost 4 people who came sat down, waited for order to be taken. But girl had gone inside. After 10 mins they left.

We are York residents so frequently have food/drinks on the river. Competition is fierce, and it is very busy, so we appreciate the situation. This weekend, however, we have called in twice, first time left sat there for quite a while and had to fetch barstaff as they just looked up the road, not looking who needed serving. The table next to us left rather than wait any longer. Then, eventually brought the wrong drinks and didn't reimburse the difference. Gave them an opportunity the next day in the rain (why only two umbrellas open? Lost loads of trade to adjoining busy bars) we waited for between 5 to 10 mins to get served, again staff looking up the street so we left. Staff could take a leaf out of Waterfront, very attentive staff, and lots if umbrellas up to catch the customers during rain showers. It didn't used to be like this.

Popular student bar right by the river

We went here for lunch during a city break to York. Nice location overlooking the river whilst we ate. We had the sharing platter and halloumi fries which was very tasty and more than enough for the pair of us.

Great atmosphere, cracking outdoor seating when the sun is out

I got the veggie pizza and it was amazing!!! You wouldn’t believe the entire thing is gluten free and vegan. Honestly one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had 10/10 recommend especially if you’re gluten/dairy free! ❤️🍕

Good for drinking bear, not good for kids,or family visits.. too noisy ..

£6 for 2 small lemonades! Inexperienced bar staff and all round poor atmosphere. Many many better pubs in York city centre - avoid this one.

Wouldn’t recommend this venue if you support or have family members who are part of the lgbtq community. You might read the positive reviews on this page for the assistant manager Dan, but from a personal visit this dude has a serious issue with diversity and how to interact with paying customers at the bar with a poor uneducated attitude. Rest assured would never have someone like that serve me in the pub and hopefully everyone reading this will follow.

Nice atmosphere and lovely ambience, with a nice view of River Ouse

Sux of us has a coffee in lowther terrible service and then came cold excuse after excuse my advice don't waste your time and money

Me and my friends had an amazing experience with the managers Dan. & Sab, they looked after us and made us feel extremely safe all night, we knew we could go to the bar & they would look after us. Dan & Seb then remembered who we were weeks after and checked in with us on this night out and every night out after. Couldn’t recommend Louther highly enough for any girls night out

Just left, although it was busy Sab took lovely care of us. Made sure that we were well taken care of and that we had everything we needed. Dan, who was at the door and greeted us, was chatty and lovely - very caring - gave us good recommendations of where to eat and drink. Definitely recommend if you’re visiting york!

No sandwiches the day we went. Noisy. By the river, easy to get the boat cruise from here.

Slow service, waited 45 minutes for drinks and when they came they were wrong. Only one server for the outside area, poor kid. Proper waste of time.

Brilliant place to drink with friends before going to clubs. They do a treble vodka and mixer for £4.70 which is a great deal and cheaper then a double. Overall great place to start a night out

This is such a lovely place to visit! The atmosphere is brilliant and music great to bop along to :) staff super friendly and helpful! Love the new manager Dan, he has spruced the place up a lot and added lots of lovely personal touches,...

Such a lovely place to enjoy a warm cuppa and a beautiful view of the river on a rainy or sunny day. Staff were very welcoming. Been here a few times before and it never disappoints. Thank you

I’m a student who lives in York and have been to many of the bars and pubs around the city centre. I can say whole heartedly that this is one of the best bars I’ve been too. The place is under new management and I...

We popped into The Lowther on Monday, late afternoon, after a river trip and sat in their outside section as it was a lovely, sunny day. It took a while for us to be given a menu as there was only one person serving and...

10/10 recommend, such a fun place to come with friends. The trebles are amazing and I always come here before a night out.

Fabulous service by Dan, lovely seating area outside, clean toilets. Reasonably priced considering the area.

Great outdoor seating and excellent service from Dan. So improved and excellent cocktail choices the kinder bueno was my favourite.

Pint didn’t taste right. Took it back to which the bar man poured down sink and said nothing wrong after sampling a bit of beer from pump in different glass. No refund or exchange offered. Then asked to leave

Though the wine volumes were a bit odd, they were decent, but the fellow customers are so friendly. One woman even pulled me into a dance out of the blue. Will return.

Nice friendly pub cosy atmosphere

Great place. Lively and enjoyable.

came in for a drink with some mates and was greeted with staff dressed in barely anything. Not only was she barely wearing a cloth as a top and some low waisted cargos, she was rude. Will not be coming again.

Yesterday evening, had some drinks here, went to use the men's toilets. There's one cubicle, and it doesn't have a seat. Just the bare toilet rim. I asked at the bar if there was another toilet I could use, they said no, and said that the toilet seat had been missing for three months. THREE MONTHS! they've known the toilet seat is missing for three months and haven't fixed it. There is no excuse for this.

Really overpriced for the experience. £21 for two gins. Not a slice of lemon between them and very light on the mixer. Staff members smoking outside on the doorstep with smoke drifting up into customer area and one of them had horrendous body odour as...

Outstanding had a brilliant night an the triples for singles was icing on the cake

Im 65 and was the oldest in the pub. It was very busy with young students and night out early 20s revellers . Quite a free roll in, in a group . have a drink with shots and then go somewhere else

Honestly this place used to be great but in recent times it has took an absolute dive. The bouncers have a serious god complex. Drinks are overpriced. Toilets are disgusting. I would honestly rather get terminal cancer than be seen in here again.

I will not be not be recommending this establishment. While the service from the general staff behind the bar was friendly, providing an excellent customer service the management was despicable and rude, while also having no communication skills when dealing with staff and customers.

Tia was such a lovely host to me and my friends! she understood perfectly and gave us everything we asked for! so five stars from me, and my friends! Thank you so much for your service!

A bit lacking in terms of everywhere else we visited in York. Lacking in atmosphere. Small choice of beer of tap. There was a private function upstairs which had alot of noisy children which created alot of noise downstairs. Assuming this place is popular with patrons at night, however I wouldn't visit during the day.

Went to the Lowther today for some food - we ordered 2 x scampi and chips and 2 coffees - when the coffees arrived they were cold - not even warm but cold, then about 20 minutes later our food arrived - brought in by...

Very student oriented, would've been great in my younger days.

Really nice pub with very friendly staff who are very helpful and attentive. You can either sit outside beside the river or sit inside both of which is a very enjoyable experience. Recommended

I've only just learned its name as I been on it for 7 hours by the time I got there. Our stag do enjoyed it for a couple pints...but its kinda where the wheels started to come off our party and we lost a couple of people. Nice staff.

Ordered a treble vodka and coke, bartender literally gave me water and coke. Was my second drink of the night so wasn’t drunk. Very pricey for water and coke

Nice to sit outside on the river and watch the world go past. Every one ses friendly

Got spaghetti and a pint. It was delicious and the view of the river was lovely.

Generally ok staff. Great location. ‘Glassware’ dirty. Pretty gross really. My wife doesn’t wear lipstick…this is her glass…

Terrace is great. Beer selection felt lacking.